Massive Layoffs: Iranian Oil Workers Dismissed Amid Wage Protest Uprising

In a troubling development within the Iranian labor market, nearly 150 welders at the Tehran Refinery have been terminated, and 15 representatives of oil contract workers are facing potential dismissal. This reaction comes as workers protest against **unpaid wages** and demand better working conditions, highlighting a broader trend of governmental crackdowns on dissent.

The situation escalated when welders demonstrated due to four months of unpaid wages, leading to their dismissal and subsequent blacklisting by the refinery. According to sources from Iran International, the Ministry of Intelligence has intensified pressure on these workers, seeking to identify individuals who shared footage of the strike with media outlets.

Furthermore, reports from Etemad newspaper reveal that 15 representatives advocating for third-party contract workers in Iran’s oil sector are facing similar threats of dismissal. These representatives are responsible for approximately **120,000 workers** and have been summoned for questioning after being referred to a supervisory body. Here’s a breakdown of their current situation:

• Two representatives have already been formally dismissed.
• Five representatives are awaiting dismissal orders.
• Eight others are still waiting for their summons.

Since 2022, contract workers have been vocal about their demands for wage standardization and benefits that align with those of permanent employees. Their requests include:

• Shopping vouchers
• Loans
• Access to recreational facilities

Despite multiple protests throughout 2022 and 2023, which resulted in summons and interrogations, significant changes in their working conditions have not been achieved. In November, workers sent a detailed letter to the management of the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) and regional officials. This letter outlined their grievances regarding what they described as **insulting treatment** and unjustified demands from security personnel in response to their protests.

The representatives have indicated that the Ministry of Oil has not provided any legal justification for criminalizing the protests. Notably, the trend of dismissing protesting workers began during the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi, but the most recent dismissal orders were issued under President Masoud Pezeshkian, shortly after a new secretary was appointed to the selection board.

The ongoing suppression of labor protests, particularly in private and contracting workshops, has been a disturbing trend since the 2010s and has intensified in the early 2020s. Following the uprisings of 2022, the Iranian government has significantly escalated its responses to protests. Workers across various sectors now face severe repercussions for engaging in industrial actions. These repercussions include:

• Layoffs
• Wage cuts
• Restrictions on leave and overtime
• Fabricated legal cases
• Prosecution for disturbing public order
• Demotions
• Workplace bans

This situation has sparked widespread concern about the rights of workers in Iran, as the government continues to suppress voices calling for fair treatment and better working conditions. Observers note that as the Iranian labor movement seeks to address these critical issues, the challenges ahead remain daunting. The recent firings and threats of dismissal underscore the precarious position of workers advocating for their rights in a climate of increasing repression.

As labor protests continue to unfold, it is crucial to monitor the situation closely. The Iranian government’s crackdown on dissent not only affects the workers involved but also sends a chilling message to those who might consider speaking out against injustices in the workplace. The struggle for fair wages and improved working conditions remains a significant issue for many workers in Iran, and the international community watches with concern as the situation develops.